Anuśāsana-parva Adhyāya 112: Dharma as the sole companion; karmic witnesses; rebirth sequences
Bṛhaspati–Yudhiṣṭhira Saṃvāda
तत्त्ववित्त्वनहंबुद्धिस्तीर्थप्रवरमुच्यते । (नारायणे<5थ रुद्रे वा भक्तिस्तीर्थ परं॑ मता ।) शौचलक्षणमेतत् ते सर्वत्रैवान्ववेक्षत:
tattvavittvanahaṁbuddhis tīrthapravaram ucyate | (nārāyaṇe ’tha rudre vā bhaktis tīrtha-paraṁ matā |) śaucalakṣaṇam etat te sarvatraivānvavekṣataḥ |
ビーシュマは言った。「真実(タットヴァ)を知り、心に『我』の思いが一切起こらぬ者は、最上の聖地(ティールタ)と呼ばれる。また、主ナーラーヤナ、あるいは主ルドラ(シヴァ)へ向けられたバクティ(信愛)も、最高の巡礼と見なされる。これこそ真の清浄のしるしである。よく省みれば、どこにでもそれが見えてくる——清浄とは外の儀礼だけにあるのではなく、我執なき智慧と揺るがぬ信愛にある。」
भीष्म उवाच
True ‘tīrtha’ (a purifier) is not only a physical place; the highest purification is an ego-free mind grounded in truth, and sincere devotion to Nārāyaṇa or Rudra. Inner purity (śauca) is recognized by the absence of self-importance and by steady bhakti.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and right conduct. Here he reframes pilgrimage and purity as primarily inner qualities—wisdom without ego and devotion—rather than merely external travel or ritual.